Sarah Palin Pays Me a Compliment

I interviewed republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin yesterday. She was very nice, but she surprised me a little.

Her handlers had found my blog and Governor Palin had read parts of it. She complimented me on my accomplishments.

It all stemmed from my asking her what, if anything, she gets to do for fun on the campaign trail. She said spend time with her kids and run. She said she tries to eek out 30 minutes regularly to sweat and it helps her stay centered.

I had a not so great morning yesterday and had gone to the gym for my PT, when I got there I jest needed to hit something. So I went into the group fitness room and punched the heavy bag until my knuckles bruised. I felt better afterward and I was sweaty.

So when she said that sweat helps her stay centered, I told her I could relate. BTW - in her iPod when she runs? Black-eyed Peas, country, Van Halen and lots of 80's.

Yours in fitness, Kate

Can I Blame Sarah Palin for my thighs?

Just kidding. Sort of.

My day is awash in politics today. I am set to interview Senator Harkin in a few minutes. Then this afternoon, after much work, I have finally landed an interview with vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

That interview and all of my other work are going to wipe out my day. I plan to try to get in some exercise, but it will be limited. Plus, I have PT.

That's all I have time for, I have to get my questions ready for the Senator.

Yours in health, Kate

Quick Post Again

Yesterday did PT and had a nice workout. Was allowed on the bike, am overachiever, kind of made myself sore.

Today, too busy to catch butt with both hands. Hope to do this tomorrow, the cheeks could use a little squeeze.

Off to take Mischa cat to the vet and make calls to contractors for home repairs - I am a domestic goddess.

Yours in insanity, Kate

Bribery

I did something I have been avoiding for a while yesterday - I stepped on the scale. It was almost exactly where I thought it would be 179. That's 30 pounds over my lowest weight earlier this year. That's also 44 pounds away from my original goal.

The numbers are bad, but the feeling is worse. Mentally it's made me a mess and physically, I'm blech. Plus, my clothes no longer fit.

So, I think it is time to bribe myself. I haven't done this in a long time, but ridiculous times call for old school measures.

Here it is:

5 pounds - new album download for mp3 player to workout to (probably Nickelback's new one)

10 pounds - "His Girl Friday" on DVD - I aspire to be Hildy.

15 pounds - Another album download (probably the new 3 Doors Down)

20 pounds - Pedicure

25 pounds - Album download

30 pounds - Pedicure and Massage

35 pounds - New running shoes (I just bought some, so by then they should need replaced)

40 pounds - New clothes (workout, work, play and maybe a swimsuit)

45 pounds - if this level makes sense, I will negotiate with myself then.

3 months maintenance - Pedicure, facial, massage

6 months maintenance - Weekend away

9 months maintenance - new winter coat and boots

1 year maintenance - The works - clothes, hair, spa, etc.

Maintaining at 40th birthday (not quite three years from now) - trip abroad, probably England and Ireland.

There it is, in writing, my blatant attempt to get myself back on track through gifts. I deserve to be completely healthy again, so I will entice myself however necessary. Kind of feeling pathetic that I have to do this. But also feeling like something has to give and it might as well be me.

Yours in health, Kate tips,

P.S. - I am copying this over with pictures to post at work and home to keep my eye on the prize.

Weekend

I was in the midst of finishing three projects on Thursday, so no time to post. Yesterday I tried a couple of times, but Blogger was down. Today thus far has been mostly a loss, because I have been in the Sarah Palin motorcade. Nothing sucks your time away like hurry up and wait with a campaign.

At the moment I am at work. I hope to be out of here by 7. Tomorrow I hope to actually do this thing called exercise, I have heard it can be quite beneficial.

Yours in health, Kate

In the Swim

I did go to the gym yesterday and worked out in the pool. My ear was popping like somebody was hitting my tympanic membrane, in fact, it's still doing it. So I didn't actually swim for fear I would do damage.

Instead I - ran, did upper body weights, squats, crunches, lunges, step-ups, leg lifts and jumping jacks. I did all of that in the water in 35 minutes.

It's not quite the cardio of swimming, but it was a workout. And it was fun, which was good.

No workout today, I have a lot of work to get done and two fun interviews to go do. I am talking to Olympian and World Champion hurdler Lolo Jones about childhood obesity. Then it's up to Ames to interview one of my favorite guys - Ron Livingston.

He's VERY handsome and it will be good to see him again. The last time we met up in person was 2004, I was a big woman then and I am not now. He won't know that, but I will. :)

Anyway, I better get my butt in gear if I am going to get anything done before the Power Climb meeting - yep, it's coming up. I can't believe it, but February 22nd is just around the corner. Early registration is beginning soon - I'll have a full post on this tomorrow.

Yours in fitness, Kate

And now for your gratuitous picture the chocolate brown-eyed Iowa native Ron Livingston.

Quick Post

I have been dancing around whether to go to the gym or not. This could be nap time instead, since I have an interview to do at 5:45, followed by volunteering until 8:15. But alas, I think I have too much energy to just roll over. I better make the most of it. So, I am posting quickly and headed to swim, since that's all I am allowed to do anyway.

Yours in fitness, Kate

A cold

Sorry for not posting over the weekend. By the time I wanted to post Saturday it was clear I was getting sick. Then yesterday I didn't move from bed except to pee. Basically this little cold from Wisconsin (thank you Ben & Abby - Lori's nephew & niece) knocked me on my butt.

Lots of sleep and water yesterday seem to have paid off. I am awake, upright and at work. I am even accomplishing a few things, including staying away from the cookies on the back table.

And I am even in a pretty good mood. Maybe I was just exhausted. Being tired can make you unreasonably hungry. LOL. Any excuse will do.

Today I have my second PT appointment. I hope to be given exercises to do when I am not at the therapist. I want to recover now! Ah, yes, I am getting back to 'normal'. Which is relative. (Not any of mine, but relative none-the-less.)

Yours in health, Kate

The new look

I got my hair chopped off last night - more than a bit shorter than I expected, but it will be o.k. I kind of let Sarah, the owner of Salon de Vallon do what she would. I have low lights of dark blonde/brown and reddish/burgundy. I will not get the full effect of what it will look like every day until tomorrow after I shower.

Today it looks a bit like hell because I let her straighten it yesterday which looked fa-boo. But when I woke up this morning it had morphed into all kinks and waves. I had time to shake it out, smooth it a bit and throw on a head band. Tomorrow, after I swim, I will show and see what the cut and color look like with my full curly glory.

BTW - that's right, I am headed back to the gym. Swimming, seated weights and hard-core core await me. I'm looking forward to it.

Yours in health, Kate

A new coat of paint

Not for a room in my house to be. (That will all come soon enough.) But one for me.

I have been in a funk for a while and while I am slowly lifting out of it, my mom is helping me take a big leap forward tonight. She is popping for me to have my hair done.

It's been over 8 months since my last hair cut. At the time it was winter, so I had some low-lights put in. Now, my hair is thick with summer blond. And I didn't use an SPF shampoo, so it's also sun-damaged from my many summer runs.

My hair's disarray is pretty typical of my physical upkeep in general, especially these last few months. I need to throw on a new coat of paint and pair it with a new attitude for a complete makeover.

I don't plan to walk out of the salon a changed person. I do expect to walk out looking good. ;)

Yours in (mental) health, Kate

Physical Therapy

I went to my first PT appointment yesterday. I was assigned a very pleasant young lady named Katrina. She broke it to me gently and with a smile that running is not in the cards for the foreseeable future. And that stair climb in February? Uh, no training for that, at all, until the end of therapy, then maybe.

I knew it was coming, but that didn't make it any easier. My only cardio option is swimming. My schedule this week will not allow for wet hair. This weekend though, I will make time.

The other thing I actually didn't see coming was - very little weight training. Anything that might put more pressure on my left knee is bad. So, if I can stand completely upright, or do the move seated with no lower body pressure, I can do it. If not, no. I guess that means my core is getting abused for the next four weeks. I mean I will still do some upper body, but compared to what I would normally do.

I think I am going to get a list of what I am 'approved' to do. That way I won't do what Lori will tell you I tend to do, which is over do.

Anyway, the knee is pretty bad. I'm not supposed to walk more than to run errands and absolutely no running. I am stuck with the stairs up to my apartment, but no moving anything that weighs anything in or out.

That last part will hopefully change before November 22nd. On the 21st we close on our house and on the 22nd I plan to spend the whole day moving whatever I can. That way when the movers arrive on Monday, they pretty much have the big stuff left.

SO this explains part of my grump yesterday. Tomorrow I hope to have more answers on that subject.

Yours in health, Kate

In a circle

I am circling myself with negative talk and cookies. I have let my passing depression about a number of issues put me in a tail spin. Yesterday's diagnosis of my knee and confirmation of something being wrong - well, it was about all I could take.

I have this endless urge to cry and bury myself in chocolate today. It has made me tired and impatient. I do not like being either one.

I am leaving work now, much earlier than usual, because I have to reset or I don't know what. I saw that WebGal had the same bad mojo rockin' yesterday and I feel for her.

Life has put me here, but I am the one who dug the hole so deeply. Now I have to build a ladder to get out - one step at a time.

Yours in (lack of mental) health, Kate

Damn It.

No 5K for me on Sunday.

I went to the orthopedist today. He thinks I have Patellofemoral pain syndrome.

So, I am banned from running or walking long distances for at least a week. After that, it is up to the physical therapist, which I now get to see twice a week for the next four weeks. For now, my cardio is swimming and any thoughts I had of running the 5K Sunday are out the window.

I am terribly frustrated by this, it makes me want to stress eat - lol. (Wish I was totally kidding there.) Anyway, a month of therapy, swimming and generally taking it 'easy' lies ahead. If after that time it's not better, I get to have an MRI and (gulp) that could mean surgery.

The upside? I have done the surgery thing before on this same knee - it sucked, it was awful and it took months to recover. Why on earth would that be the upside?

I am more fit now, weigh less and technology and surgery are eons ahead of where they were. Plus, the Orthopedist I have this time is highly respected and at a private hospital. The last guy was doing his community service for the year at Broadlawns - putz.

So, I am to take it easy today and go shopping. What? That's the other thing the doc said, my inch and a half, sensible heels, have to go until further notice. I am to wear flats. That is lovely, I own one pair, they are purple. This afternoon they will hopefully acquire cheap (but supportive) black and brown cousins. Is that covered by insurance?

Yours in health, Kate

Sunday Inspiration - Reading

I have blogged endlessly recently about my eating issues, my weight gain, my tiredness and my feeling of being completely lost. Just now I slid over to Women's Health Magazine looking for a "Sunday Inspiration" column and I finally found answers to what has been beating me up.

I try to learn something new daily - one thing about the world and one thing about health and fitness. This article is about stress and how it can effect your weight. I have not only learned something new, but I have had a complete break-through, I have figured out why I have gained so much weight.

I was just thinking yesterday, "What is it that's been grinding away on me over the summer?" I started to wander toward being in a so-so relationship with a man and wondered if my pre-existing issues with the male sex had been the catalyst. Was I so scared of taking one on the chin with men again that I began making myself fat by overeating? I thought about it hard. The very idea pissed me off. Could I have really been that weak? The fact that it angered me made me think it was something else, but men might have played a smaller role.

Then I started looking at the timeline. All of this food crap started as my stress levels rose. As I tried to maintain dating and family and home and work. And there it was - work.

Early this summer, just weeks after dealing with the stress of working 20-22 hour days covering the floods, I was socked with bad news - my role was changing. At that time they told me my position really didn't exist anymore, but they were keeping on to do part of my job because I was good at it. However, since the other part of my job was being given away, I had to find a way to 'justify my salary'.

I am glad to have a job, a job that pays pretty well and has health insurance and most of the time I like very much. But a summer and fall of being in limbo has work me out - mentally, physically, emotionally, intellectually - I am spent.

So, when I read this article in Women's Health, it all crystallized for me. Yes, I had sabotaged my own weight loss maintenance, but so had my own body. My stress has seized control. I'm stressed I eat, I don't eat I am stressed, I gain weight I stress and the circle is endless - until now. Now that I have a much better idea of what the hormone cortisol is and what it is doing to my body - I have a much better chance of fighting back and that is inspiring.

Yours in health, Kate

Packing away the calories

This post has a double meaning:

1. I have spent much of the day packing. Our offer was accepted on a house!!! We close November 21st and take possession the 22nd. I plan to have EVERYTHING done a few days before. Lori will be working over the weekend, so I will move as much as I can. then on Monday the 24th, I will let movers finish the job. I am so pumped, I can't stand it. A house, a yard, a washer/dryer, {sigh}.

2. When Lori is gone (as she is with her family this weekend) I eat total crap. Better pack harder.

Yours in health, Kate

Running with Gordon

I did a short run with Gordon last night. He was running a little late and I had to get to Planned Parenthood to volunteer.

But it's so great to run with him. The running itself is good, but the conversation is better. I am too busy for my own good and I don't get much of a chance to just be social with my brothers.

When Gordon and I run together I get to talk to him and I learn something new every time. Even though I have known him for his whole 33.5 years, he always shares something new. And each time it is a reminder of how much I like him, he's a really good guy.

It makes me want to run with Casey (my youngest brother), but I guess I have never asked. He has Caelen and Annette, but maybe I could get him to squeeze me in. But he recently injured his hamstring in a sharp shooting competition, so I don't know if he's ready to run yet. I will ask though, because I would like to know him better too.

Yours in (mental) health, Kate

The Knee

Pain. I ran yesterday despite the pain and ouch. I know, if it hurts, don't do it. But I am struggling with that.

I am set to run with Gordon again tonight. Hopefully it will fair better.

The doctor's office finally called yesterday, my orthopedist appointment is Monday, maybe I will find some answers.

I just have to make it through the 19th for the 5K. Then I can rest it a little.

Yours in fitness, Kate

Feeling a bit better

Why doesn't the scale move after one day of eating right and exercising? LOL. Just kidding.

But, honestly, yesterday I had a good day. I watched what I ate (and logged it) and worked out hard. My knee is acknowledging that today.

While I was at the doctor last week I talked to her about my left knee. I mentioned it at the beginning of September, it was rebuilt and now, it keeps putting me in pain.

I thought at first it was the specific exercises I was doing. But now, no matter what I do - run, bike, elliptical, squats, etc - it hurts like hell. Now, a normal person would say, "I better not exercise". A formerly obese, currently overweight girl, she just can't. I didn't run last week or do much of anything else and that doesn't work for me. I have to keep moving and cut calories to take off the weight.

Anyway, my doc took an x-ray of the knee and not surprisingly, found arthritis. But we agreed, that's not what this is. In fact, it feels like the back of my knee is broken, across the width of my leg. It's sore, sharp, throbbing and slips all at once. Yes, I know, ouch.

My doc is supposed to set-up an appointment with an orthopedist; if they haven't called by tomorrow I will call to remind them. I had joked about really pushing my knee so it actually hurt when I went in. (I didn't want mechanics syndrome, you know, "No, I swear, it makes that noise." But never in front of the mechanic.)

Ironically, I can't make it stop hurting this time and I haven't even been rough on it. That's mainly because I realized I at least need it to last until the 5K on the 19th.

Other than the knee though, I am in a better place. I plan to work on doing better everyday.

Yours in fitness, Kate

The face in the mirror

Ignore this post.
I put on a pair of pants today that I purposely shrunk a couple of months ago because they were running a bit big, it worked. Today those pants are quite tight and again, it has worked - I get the point.

Then I was in the bathroom washing my hands and looked up and dear god, there she is again - fat me. My clothes are tight and now, even my face is plumping up again.

For a while people said I was getting too skinny, no one could say that now. I wanted to scream and cry. Look what I have done!

It's only 21 pounds, but it feels like I am carrying another person. I am starting to not feel good again. I am tired.

Even my ring I bought for my second anniversary fits now. Before it was loose enough I had to keep an eye on it. (To think, I toyed with having it sized down.)

I am not complaining, because honestly, I am the only one to blame. Instead I am sitting here uncomfortably in my pants with my own reflection and contemplating.

Yours in blech, Kate

From the beginning... Remember Where You Have Been

As I mentioned, I went to the doctor on Friday. She asked me how I was and I said, "Fat." She grimaced and simply asked, "Why is that?" I confessed that my sugar addiction was kicking my butt, impulse control was nearly non-existent and I seemed to have forgotten what a portion looks like.

She looked up and smiled and said, "Just remember how hard it was to get here." And then we went about our business.

You know, I used to do that all the time. I would think about how hard it used to be to breath, how I couldn't sleep, how I used to overflow chairs. I seemed to have lost sight of that lately. I have stopped looking at obese people and thinking, "I'm not going back". Instead I just look at cookies and think, "I bet that tastes really good".

And you know, it does. That cookie tastes damn good. But...

The body I am letting slowly slip away is better. The wardrobe I am stretching to fit in is nice and at times, sexy. I've not been feeling very sexy these past few weeks - I miss that.

But sexy and self-confidence are simply two sides to the same coin and without the later, I won't get back the former. So, I have to remember where I have been.

I have been morbidly obese, depressed, lonely and pathetic.

I have been thinner, happier, boisterous and sexy.

Now not everyone who is obese is the former, many are the later. But I know I was, so the second option is for me. It's time to put my money where my cookie is and get my butt in gear to make some new memories.

Yours in (mental) health, Kate

Sunday Inspiration - Co-Workers

I have been busy or sick all week. I have not worked out for a week. Today will be no better, I plan to give my body one more day to feel lousy and that's it. I will get back to working out tomorrow. I will also get my food back on track. I have been better while I have been sick, but not perfect. I totally went off the tracks while caravanning with John McCain earlier this week and never quite got upright.

But right now I am at work and remembering Friday. On Friday, as I was about to go to the doctor to be - a. assured I am not anemic and b. told I probably have a sinus infection and given antibiotics - I was beeped in my office. Lori at the front desk wanted me to know a listener was bringing by a surprise - it was 3 dozen! donuts.

It appears he is a fan of my news. That's awesome. Not so awesome, the two and a half Donut King donuts I scarfed down.

But before I took my donuts, I walked the donut boxes around and offered everyone in the office a donut. (Part of me was hoping they would take them all, since my self-control is on the blink.) As I took them around, some people grabbed quickly and slyly, even taking two. But a number of others reached in and then backed out without grabbing one.

I remember being that girl. For the first 16 months of my journey I had this weird ability to look at anything and say no, or just take a small bite. Now, I struggle with not taking a second one, whatever it is.

So, my food got better over the weekend and I think I have my co-workers to thank. Watching them being able to turn away what many people consider the best donuts in town was an inspiration. The two Dans, Peg, Celia, Luke, Scott and a few others I am not thinking of, good for you and thank you.

Yours in health, Kate

A Wash

This week has been wasted. I was with McCain for two days eating junk and not working out. Wednesday I had to play catch up and was just exhausted - no workout. Yesterday, it hit me - I'm sick.

I am at the point when I don't know I am getting sick until I am really sick. I think I have at least an ear infection (I'm dizzy) and maybe something in my sinuses and throat.

I am at work, but it will only be until about 10 and then I am going to the doctor. I am hoping to get drugs and feel better by tomorrow. I have a very important date with my favorite guy - Caelen.

Yours in (ill) health, Kate

An Iowa Culinary Lesson

If there is potato soup at a hotel in West Des Moines, Iowa, it will have bacon in it - lesson learned.

I was on day two of legally stalking John McCain (aka- being in the local press pool) and they were feeding us lunch at a WDM hotel. The wraps looked good, but they had bacon in them. So when soup arrived, I was, "heck yea".

It was chock full of veggies and I grabbed a bowl. I was about 5 tablespoons in thinking how awesome it tasted when one of the national press guys (on his second bowl) said, "Oh, it's got bacon. No wonder it's so good."

I froze. I haven't eaten bacon or any form of red meat in about seven years. I tasted the remnants in my mouth, of course, I should have known that salty, smoky taste. I put the bowl down, grabbed a swig of water and ate half of the protein bar I brought as a back-up.

About 20 minutes later I discern that McCain isn't making anymore news on my beat for the day and head back to work. On the way my stomach starts swelling and I am overcome with ick.

To keep it relatively urp-free - I got sick as soon as I walked in the door at the office.

I went ahead and edited my audio and did some other work, including a surprise press conference with the Governor. Then I drug my dragging butt home and rested for 45 minutes before heading out to do some volunteer work.

Between my culinary misadventure and lack of sleep, I am hurting this morning. But I am hoping working hard today will get me ready to hit the gym this afternoon. Hoping.

Yours in health, Kate